Via Instapundit, who writes: “When I was in junior high in the 1970s, I often read the old textbooks from the 1950s, which seemed to be written at a higher level than the ones we were using. When the Insta-Daughter was the same age, she looked at old textbooks from the 1970s, which seemed to be written at a higher level than the ones her classes were using. . . . “

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In the early 20th century, most Americans were content with basic literacy and numeracy. High school was an elite luxury for most. The students were both much more motivated and more capable.

In the early 21st century, basic literacy and numeracy are almost universal. However now everyone is expected to graduate from high school and go to college. So our high schools are crowded with the unmotivated and incapable.